Best Practice

Coming out during adolescence

Pastoral issues PSHE Pupil wellbeing
It is a sad fact that gay and lesbian young people still face huge challenges when they come out – not least prejudice and bullying. Dr Stephanie Thornton looks at what they can face and offers schools advice

When it comes to homosexuality, most of our focus is on reducing homophobic bullying – and alas, that is still very necessary.

Even in these enlightened times homophobia is still far from gone from our streets and schools. For all the progress we have made, to be lesbian or homosexual is still to be “different”. For various religions it is still a perversion. Some fundamental Christians in the USA still believe that it is a dysfunction that can be “cured”.

All the evidence we have suggests that homosexuality is a biological phenomenon: it is found as a natural part of behaviour in a great many bird species from owls and chickens to ostrich and ravens; in many mammals from cattle and goats to rats, cats and bison, orca dolphin and dogs; in reptiles and insects; and in primates, from chimpanzees to bonobos and humans.

Register now, read forever

Thank you for visiting SecEd and reading some of our content for professionals in secondary education. Register now for free to get unlimited access to all content.

What's included:

  • Unlimited access to news, best practice articles and podcast

  • New content and e-bulletins delivered straight to your inbox every Monday and Thursday

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here